UPM Innovation Bulletin

putrasciencepark uputramalaysia/researchupm 

www.sciencepark.upm.edu.my 

RESEARCH & INNOVATION @UPM 

1 st Quarter 2016 

EDU-PARK 

PLAY, LEARN & STAY YOUNG 

In This Issue 

More Grants for UPM 

InnoHub 

Product Launching from 

UPM InnoHub start ups 

Networking Party : 

Profiting from Innovation 

Putra Dynamics

RESEARCH & INNOVATION @UPM • 2016 1 st Quarter 

EDITORIAL 

Welcome to the second issue of Research & 

Innovation @ UPM. 

Over the past years, Putra Science Park (PSP) has 

been involving in UPMs innovation management. 

Looking back to that time, I realize how much we have 

progressed. 

As of September 2016, we have commercialized 

total of 115 technologies to industry partners. This 

is only possible with great minds and great team, 

work together towards a common vision, VISION TO 

SUCCESS IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER. 

PSP’s day to day activities are related to this vision to 

create impact to the society. These activities are closely 

monitored by management with a great team spirit. In 

this issue of Research & Innovation @ UPM, we identify 

some of PSP’s activities, which we consider it important 

to highlight. 

Meanwhile, as the winner of Majlis Gemilang Akademia 

Putra 2015, Dr. Abdul Azis shares the details of his 

invention, ‘ROBO-REST’ and the impact to the society. 

A Networking Party was organized by PSP to promote 

innovation of UPM. This exciting event drew the right 

crowd representing a good mix of venture capitalists, 

angle investors and industry partners. 

Some of our newly invented technologies, Safety 

Syringe and Furniture from Mengkuang Leaves and 

the news of Dr. Syed Abdul Rahman in winning gold 

medals for their inventions are also highlighted this 

time. 

I hope you enjoy reading the second issue of Research 

& Innovation @ UPM. I look forward to keeping you 

informed. 

Our cover story shines a light on the many ways eDU- 

PARK promote edu-tourism in Malaysia. We are proud 

to say that we are the only university in Malaysia to 

conduct such activities to promote education in a fun 

way. We have launched eDU-PARK Carnival to expose 

the exciting programs to the public. 

We also discuss on Putra Dynamic’s activities, a training 

unit of PSP. Under this unit, we have provided training 

programs to public, especially to universities to create 

awareness on innovation and commercialization. 

Additionally, we introduced two important personnel 

of UPM, En. Ahmad Zakir and Dr. Abdul Azis Ariffin. 

En. Zakir shares his experience as the Entrepreneur in 

Residence and as mentor of Innohub program of PSP. 

Under his supervision, Innohub is now growing into 

successful startup companies. This issue also 

highlights on the achievement of these companies in 

obtaining external grants to sustain their business. 

Dr. Mohamad Fakri Zaky Ja’afar 

Deputy Director 

Innovation Promotion & Marketing Division 

2


EDU-PARK 

PLAY, LEARN & 

STAY YOUNG 

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is the first university in 

Malaysia to offer tourism packages to visitors to join 

guided tours. 

Edu-Park provides experiential learning packages 

suitable for both adults and children. Visitors have a 

chance to explore the academic world of a Malaysian 

Research University, and extract knowledge from 

experts. Visitors may sign up for these modules at 

Serdang Gallery, the Nature Trails, Deer Farm, Dairy 

Farm, Equine Centre, Human Anatomy Museum and 

Animal Anatomy Museum. 

3


EDU-PARK 

SOME OF OUR VISITORS 

Visit from SBR University Bangalore, India 

on 2nd March 2016 

Visit from Kautilya First Grade College, 

India on 1st March 2016 

Book Launching and Exhibition Opening Ceremony on Nature’s Yield and Wonders 

of Arts LIFE: Bird, officiated by Deputy Secretary (Culture), Ministry of Tourism and 

Culture, Datuk Ab Ghaffar Tambi on Monday, February 22, 2016. 

4


Visit from International University of 

Malaya-Wales on 5th February 2016 

Visit from Tunku Kursiah College on 

30th January 2016 

Visit from International University of 

Malaya-Wales on 26th January 2016 

REVIEWS 

5


For the first time, the eDU-PARK, Putra Science Park (PSP) 

Division of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) held a eDU-PARK 

1.0 carnival, featuring many interesting activities for children 

and adults alike. The carnival helped to promote and expose 

the university’s edu-tourism programmes to the public. The 

main attraction at this carnival is that visitors are able to enjoy 

and gain beautiful insights of the farms which are never 

opened to the public on normal days. 

The carnival was launched by Deputy Director- 

General of Higher Education, Ministry of 

Higher Education, Datin Paduka Ir. Dr. Siti 

Hamisah Tapsir and UPM Vice-Chancellor, 

Prof. Datin Paduka Dr. Aini Ideris was 

among those present. 

This programme promotes learning 

through experience, with each visiting 

module encompasses an integrated 

and interactive visit to suit with the 

tagline - Play, Learn and Stay Young. This 

programme is also in line with STEM’s 

aspiration to bring the society closer to 

the field of science and Technology through 

recreational activities and means. 

carnival 1.0 

Meanwhile, with the cooperation of Dakwah Orang Asli, some 

40 Orang Asli children from Kampung Ulu Batu, Hulu Yam, 

had the opportunity to come and visit the university. The visit 

was aimed at giving these children the chance to feel for 

themselves and get the experience of studying at university 

as this, indirectly, helped to expose them to tertiary education 

at higher learning institutions. 

Source : http://www.upm.edu.my/news 

6


PUTRA DYNAMICS 

Putra Dynamics is a training and service 

provider under Innovation the Promotion 

and Marketing Division of Putra Science 

Park, UPM. The division offers a wide 

range of services, including training and 

development, design and packaging and 

corporate souvenirs. 

Training and Development 

Putra Dynamics offers training and 

development opportunities to enable 

research staff of local universities and 

research institutes to continue to develop 

and extend their professional skills 

and knowledge. We are specialized 

in providing training and consultation 

services in research, innovation and 

commercialization covering both soft 

and technical skills. All our trainers are 

experienced practitioners, professionally 

certified, dedicated and specialized in their 

respective fields. 

We provide hands-on solutions through 

practical information sharing to help 

solve research and commercialization 

challenges. We have a proven track record, 

delivering public and in-house courses for 

the local universities, SME companies and 

government organizations. 

For more information 

+603.8947.1618 

putradynamics@gmail.com 

putradynamics 

7


FACTS! 

interesting 

UPM InnoHub: 

Interview with En. Ahmad Zakir Dato’ 

Wira Ja’afar, Entrepreneur in Residence 

Buletin TNCPI recently interviewed En. Ahmad Zakir bin Dato’ Wira 

Jaafar, Business Development Officer of Putra Science Park, UPM. 

Zakir also administers and mentors UPM InnoHub, a market validation 

incubator, for UPM early stage technologies. 

Typical mobile users check their phone 

150 times per day 

Q : Could you describe the role of UPM in the Innohub program? 

90% of all internet traffic in 2017 will be 

video 

UPM plays the research role within the Innohub Program. It also plays 

the role as facility coordinator and administrator as typical business 

incubator. 

Q : What are the responsibilities and functions of your role and who 

are the other people behind the Innohub? 

Newspapers have lost $40 Billion in 

advertising revenue since 2000 

source : www.slideshare.net 

I am the Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) within Innohub. As the coach 

and mentor of Innohub program, I give support and encouragement 

to the start-up companies in the program. I have many responsibilities, 

especially to monitor all the Innohub activities. I organize Innohub 

workshops, market validation activities and talks. I personally invite 

external funding agencies to Innohub. These works cannot be done 

alone. Dr. Wan Nurhayati, Innohub Coordinator and Pn. Zuraini helps 

me a lot to run all the related activities. 

Q : What are the facilities offered to start-ups by the Innohub? 

There are many. We provide co-working space, free wifi services, 

meeting rooms, discussion forums and laboratory facilities. 

8


Q : Can you describe the selection process for this program? What 

are the important characteristics you are looking for in the pool of 

applicants? 

FACTS! 

interesting 

The selection process starts with the selection of good 

‘commercializable’ ideas. We have to hand pick some of the research 

works and conduct several meetings with the researchers at UPM. 

This is a vital process in order to understand the expectations and 

commercialization needs for the researcher. Next step involves 

the search for the right candidate as CEO. We usually go for the 

researcher’s suggestion, and if we are agreeable, we proceed with 

external panellist of the selection committees. We always look for two 

aspects; the researcher and the CEO. The researcher must be willing 

to commercialize the research whereas the CEO must be a doer. 

Q : Could you please describe the content and intent of the 

Innohub’s Market Validation Program? 

Over the last 10 years, 40 different billion 

dollar startups were founded 

That’s huge. The main market validation consists of four sections, 

namely, monitoring, external funding and pitch practice, CEO and 

researcher meet-up and lMC market validation. This is the content 

of two years program and each of them has its own milestones. The 

biggest chunk, 70% of the program is the lMC Market Validation. This 

is where most start-ups works on. The Innohub is about two things, 

Market Validation and funding the best Business Model for the startup. 

Our intention is basically to do Market Validation by building human 

capital. We are actually trying to groom the young entrepreneurs of 

the future. On the monetary side, the end objective for UPM is to get 

benefit through licensing of technologies through these start-ups. 

Q : Could you please detail your future plans for the Innohub? 

Looking forward for graduation. We intend to collaborate with other 

RUs and also encourage external start-ups to come into Innohub 

program with the mind set of commercializing UPM’s technology. 

Facebook is now worth more than Disney, 

Coca-cola and Intel 

90% of text messages are read within 

3 minutes of being delivered 


9


FACTS! 

interesting 

MORE GRANTS FOR UPM 

INNOHUB START UPS! 

Congratulations for getting Cradle Investment Programme (CIP): 

Innovation : HealthLink 

Start up : Turing Creative Solutions Sdn Bhd 

Team : Lead Researcher - Assoc. Prof. Dr Marzanah Bt. A.Jabar 

Project Leader - Dr Wan Nurhayati Bt. Wan Ab. Rahman 

CEO - Mr. Ramin Ahmadi 

Time spent on mobile apps is largely 

dominated by games and social 

networking 

Innovation : Peel-O-Matic 

Start up : RJ Machine Solutions Sdn Bhd 

Team : Lead Researcher - Assoc. Prof. Dr Rosnah Bt. Shamsuddin 

CEO – Miss Christine Jamie anak Vincent Eddy 

16% of smartphone users made a 

purchase because of a marketing 

message received on their phone 

Congratulations for getting High Impact Programme 2 (HIP2) as the 

winner of Halal High-Tech Challenge @ the award ceremony by The 

Hon. Dato’ Sri Mustapha Mohamed: 

Innovation : FoodPin 

Start up : MyInfiTech Sdn Bhd 

Team : Lead Researcher - Assoc. Prof. Dr Marzanah Binti A.Jabar 

Project Leader - Dr Wan Nurhayati Binti Wan Ab. Rahman 

CEO – Ms Niloofar Yousefi 


10


Product Launching from 

UPM InnoHub start ups in 

conjunction with Hari Kualiti & 

Inovasi FSKTM 

FACTS! 

interesting 

Congratulations for InnoHub innovations @ FCSIT product launching 

ceremony by YBhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Fauzi Bin Ramlan, UPM Vice 

Chancellor 16 Oct. 2015. 

Innovation : FoodPin 

Start up : MyInfiTech Sdn Bhd 

Team : Lead Researcher - Assoc. Prof. Dr Marzanah Binti A.Jabar 

Project Leader - Dr Wan Nurhayati Binti Wan Ab. Rahman 

CEO – Ms Niloofar Yousefi 

FOODPIN 

Have Food Your Way 

The 1 st Food App 

that consider 

user’s budget 

FoodPin offers 

business performance 

analysis & 

recommendation to 

improve F&B service 

to customers 

www.foodpinapp.com 

Ceo@foodpinapp.com 

User preferences (user) 

Restaurant pin in map 

Picture of food (owner) 

Name and price (owner) 

Ranking quality and price (user) 

Halal and vegetarian (owner) 

Rank and comment (user) 

Preferred price (user) 

Near me (user) 

Search place or food (user) 

Facebook/foodpinapp.com 

@foodpinapp 

Every minute, 2 millions searchers are 

performed on Google. 

Lead Researcher 

marzanah@upm.edu.my 

Project Leader 

wnurhayati@upm.edu.my 

CEO 

ceo@foodpinapp.com 

One gram of your DNA could store all of 

Facebook and Google’s data. 

FoodPin Team 


11


Putra Science Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia held 

the first networking party event at The Philea 

Mines and Beach Resort, Seri Kembangan, 

on the 11 th of May 2016. About 80 guests 

participated in this event representing a good mix 

of venture capitalists, angel investors, industry 

partners, UPM Start-up companies and UPM 

researchers. Key speakers for the event were 

UPM’s industrial partners, Pn. Rashida Ibrahim 

from Malaysian Vaccine and Pharmaceutical 

Sdn. Bhd. and Mr. Gregory L Foster from Fibaloy 

International Sdn. Bhd. 

12


CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. ABDUL AZIS ARIFFIN 

Winner - Majlis Gemilang Akademia Putra 2015: Innovation and Commercialization 

Product Description 

• Robo-REST sterilizer is a simple abbreviation for Robotic-Rapid Equilibrated Sterilization 

Technology. The small but high pressure sterilization vessel cooks 15 tons FFB/30 mins or 

30 tons/hr. Placement of 3 or 4 RoBo-RESTs per mill will satisfy the current mill processing 

throughput of 45 to 60 ton/hr. Robo-REST’s operations are fully automatic. FFB are 

automatically channeled and dropped into vessel in its slant position, cooked in horizontally 

and discharged back to its slanting orientation. 

• The sterilization operation at 70 psi, 140 – 150 °C with continuous retention of water in the 

FFB ensures complete chemical hydrolysis and destruction of the spongy hemicellulose that 

envelopes every cell of fruit and that binds fruits to bunch stalk. The chemically stable or 

non-hydrolysable cellulose that surrounds the oil globule or body remain unchanged. 

Leaching of the glucose/xylose monomers and the reduction or absence of the 

spongy hemicelluloses will ensure better recovery of oil at the press station. 

Excessive unstripped fruit bunches (USB) maybe equated to 0.5 to 1% oil losses. 

Impact to the industry 

• The new technology shall lead to improved processing efficiency reflected by 

higher oil recovery. This technology permits hastening of processing throughput 

and increased of FFB tonnage processed per day. More shall be produced and sold. 

This technology affords higher recovery of premium CPO which fetches high selling 

price. Premium CPO is the best feedstock for the refineries and other downstream 

edible oil producers. 

• This new technology will improve and sustain the image of Malaysia the leader 

in palm oil processing technology, as processing technology creator to the world, 

especially in countries involved in oil palm 

and palm oil industries. There are requests to 

substantiate build this palm oil mill technology 

being made; from Indonesia and Colombia. 

• The palm processing technology has remained 

unchanged for the last 60 years which 

reflected the consistent 20% OER value. The 

new technology affects increase in OER by 

additional 2 to 3%. New mills will adopt this 

technology. Old mills will rejuvenate replacing 

delepedated process with this new technology. 

Impact to the economy 

• Oil extraction rate (OER) of this processing 

technology will hover above the Malaysia’s 

national average of ~20% OER. Every 1% OER 

increase is a RM1,000,000 profit (based on 

RM1,000 per ton CPO) for a mill. There are, 

estimated, 470 mills in Malaysia. The substantial 

monetary returns permit establishments of 

other business ventures. Business nucleates 

jobs for Malaysians. The site of this new palm oil 

milling technology provides training ground for university personnels, engineers and relevant personnels to be 

trained and to understand the concept of this efficient, systematic crude palm oil processing technology. 

13


Dr. Syed Abdul Rahman wins gold at World 

Innovation Expo in Belgium 

By: Azman Zakaria 

Photo: Noor Azreen Awang 

Source : http://www.upm.edu.my/berita 

Assoc. Prof Dr Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Haddad Syed Mohamed, a lecturer and researcher at the Engineering 

Faculty’s Computer and Communication Systems Engineering, UPM, won a gold medal at “The World Exhibition on 

Inventions, Research and New Technologies” exhibition in Brussels, Belgium. 

His victory was achieved through an innovative invention “GULAGA - Second Screen Video Information via Mobile 

Digital Video Identification.” 

A total of 192 products from 20 countries participated in the exhibition. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syed Abdul Rahman said 

‘Gulaga’ is the action by general users where they scan the video played for trending information on the social 

media related to the video they watch. 

“For this additional purposes, a video is featured with watermark safety characteristics embedded in the audio 

signal. This technology is at the core of future TV where people will download their channel via App on their 

SmartTV. 

“This technology will be incorporated into the app for easy scanning of the content they watch, with trending 

information on the social media,” he said in an interview. 

He added that together with fellow researcher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Ramli and a doctorate (PhD) student, 

Mohamad Ali Nematollahi, they succeeded in inventing an algorithm that could detect suitable frames to be 

embedded into the data for watermarking. 

14


Dr. Farzad wins 4 Gold Medals in i-ENVEX 

Dr. Farzad Hejaz, senior Lecturer of the 

Department of Civil Engineering and 

Innovation, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti 

Putra Malaysia (UPM) won four gold medals 

at the recently-concluded International 

Engineering Invention and Innovation 

Exhibition (i-ENVEX). 

Dr. Farzad, who is also the faculty’s Coordinator, 

also received a Special Award for Creative 

Invention that was presented by the Raja 

Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra 

Jamalullail. 

i-ENVEX Exhibition was held at Universiti 

Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), with participating 

researchers coming from Malaysia, South 

Korea, USA, Canada, Taiwan, China, Romania, 

India and Iraq. The invention exhibition which was held in UniMAP Pauh Putra Main Campus, encouraged the 

participation of young researchers, scientists and inventors and brought them all under the same roof to show off 

their inventions. 

Below are noble products put up for display at i-ENVEX. All the products are in the stage of being commercialized: 

1. Nonlinear Conical spring Bracing System for Structures under Dynamic Load. Inventor: Dr. Farzad Hejazi, Dr. Amir 

Fateh, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Saleh Jaafar 

2. Divergent Viscous Wall Damper. Inventor: Dr. Farzad Hejazi, Mr. Soheil Nikpour, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Saleh 

Jaafar 

3. FEM program for Analysis of RC Structure with Prestress Elements. Inventor: Dr. Farzad Hejazi, Mr. Milad 

Hafezolghorani, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Saleh Jaafar, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Raizal Saifulnaz Muhammad Rashid 

4. Rubber Damper Connector. Inventor: Dr. Farzad Hejazi, Mr. Esmaeil Ibrahimi, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Saleh 

Jaafar. - UPM. 

15


UPM developed a new system of HPT formotorists 

in the country 

The Road Safety Research Centre of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), has successfully developed a new system of 

training in anticipation of road hazards, or Hazard Perception Training (HPT), for motorists in the country. 

Director of the Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Law Teik Hua, who created the system, said having good road 

hazard perception skills was crucial in reacting to actual or potential hazards so that motorists could take the 

appropriate preventive actions to avoid accidental contact. 

This system of training will not only coach drivers or motorcyclists to the actual road environment and condition 

but also emphasizes on a more systematic and accurate way where they can assess their perception to anticipate 

danger in their midst. 

HPT launched under Petron’s Road Safety Programme four years ago was aimed at promoting good and safe 

driving or riding among students. 

The campaign took place at nine universities, in collaboration with Honda and Goodyear Malaysia to promote road 

safety which is certified by JKJR. 

HPT is the first Petron’s special collaboration with UPM’s Road Safety Research Centre to assess road users’ ability 

to anticipate and avoid potential hazards on the roads. It also helps to identify the behavior of motorcyclists and 

increase their traffic perception skills by providing them with hazard perception skills training. 

GRINNOVATION 

16


UPM produces disposable safety syringe, nonpenetrative 

vacuum blood container 

By Azman Zakaria 

Photo by Mohd Hasrul Hamdan 

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has succeeded in producing a novel 

multi-purpose disposable Safety Syringe and a non-penetrative Vacuum 

Blood Container, or SJ-VacTube, the first to have been made in this 

country. 

Both technologies which are related to each other, are used in the 

process of transferring and storage of liquid such as blood for laboratory 

use, medical, veterinary and the like.Both innovations are produced by 

a team of researchers, led by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abd Rahim Abu Talib 

from the Department of Aerospace Engineering of the university’s 

Engineering Faculty. 

Currently, disposable safety syringes and non-penetrative vacuum 

blood containers are imported as they are not produced in this country. 

These multi-purpose disposable safety syringes cannot be reused or 

misused, thus preventing the spread of germs and outbreak of diseases. 

The SJ-Vactube, meanwhile, is a new innovation in the use of vacuum 

technology without needles. The novel design of the cap, enclosure and 

tube allowed the innovative process of non-penetrative vacuum blood 

container. 

Both technologies have received copyright protection in the form of 

patent in Malaysia and seven other countries. A company, Selia Tek 

Industries Sdn Bhd, has agreed to work with UPM to commercialize the 

products and buy both patents from the university. 

17


UPM researchers produce furniture from 

Mengkuang leaves 

images from utusan.com.my 

A group of researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has successfully developed new products made from 

pine or the Mengkuang leaves which have a massive potential to be accentuated in the handicraft industry. 

The research team from Faculty of Design and Architecture (FRSB) UPM, led by Prof. Dr. Khairul Aidil Azlin Abdul 

Rahman adopted the leaves as the basis of their products. 

Khairul, assisted by three other faculty members and two Bachelor of Design and Architecture students have been 

conducting the research since February last year to determine the effectiveness of this wild plant and its potential 

to be transformed into high-quality furniture. 

“This pine-based industry has been gradually dwindling despite its great potential if it is repurposed and further 

developed as it is part of the Malaysian identity,” he said. 

The project known as Transformasi Inovasi Konservasi Apresiasi Reka Bentuk (TIKAR) was funded by University 

Community Transformation Centre (UCTC) UPM, involving villagers from Bentan, Pekan, Pahang, which also aimed 

to help them to generate income. 

Khairul also believed that traditional elements should be preserved along with the growing interests in 

contemporary furniture among consumers. 

“It is one of the traditional elements that still exist today, so we are trying to highlight pine-based elements in the 

furniture and interior decoration items because we want to attract urban people who prefer contemporary and 

classical styles as home decoration.” said Khairul. 

Among other pine-based products featured were chairs, coffee table, backdrop and table lamp. 

18

To write in your enquiries on UPM 

technologies, e-mail us at 

promosi@upm.edu.my 

t 03.8947.1850 • f 03.8946.1462 

www.sciencepark.upm.edu.my

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